So, before I start my one complaint about society and hipsters and open the floor for discussion I would like to give a little back story on what a hipster is and how I fit into that category. A hipster is a term that is given to someone that can mean a multitude of things. In the 1950's and 40's it was given to people who followed the jazz stars and wore clothing similar to them, smoked cigarettes, drank, were arrogant, and did heroin, following basically the same life styles as jazz musicians. In the punk revolution it was a person who was a poser goth (need citation as I only got this info from my ex-girlfriend who is a self-proclaimed punk). In today's society a hipster is usually divided into two categories. The first being what I consider myself to be, which is a group of individuals (heavy emphases on individual) who like things that most people wouldn't accept and that a lot of people don't understand. An example of this is me. I tend to dress in suits, tight fitting clothing, artsy t-shirts, and odd combinations. I also enjoy burning incense; listening to bands such as Modest Mouse, The Decemberists, Deerhunter, Explosions in the Sky, The Mountain Goats, and Bon Iver; and writing poetry. I am proud to consider myself one of these people. Now the other type of hipster, and bare with me here, are what most of you think of as hipsters. They are the people that are ironic for the main purpose of being different and to get a rise out of people. These are the people you see wearing spandex, wearing lensless thick rimmed glasses, super skinny jeans, standing still at concerts, smoking cigarettes, drinking PBR, and belittling people who try to change society. Most people when they think of a hipster think of these people and generalize people like me with them and like to make fun of them. So in turn, my taste in music gets insulted, I get crap for wearing a sports coat with jeans, and wearing my hair long. But I am not them. The difference between me and most hipsters is that I care about others, whilst stereotypical hipsters are apathetic and ignorant. Besides... I don't stand still at concerts. I love dancing my legs off. In fact I'm more of a hippie when it comes to music. So my one complaint is this. Because I like different music that most people haven't heard of, if I even mention that I like Skrillex or some other currently mainstream music, I hear this: "You can't like this music! You're a hipster. You hate the mainstream." Now I do hate most mainstream music you hear on the radio, but I do like some music that is considered mainstream. The above mentioned Skrillex problem came up today when I was listening to some of his old stuff, and a friend of mine was saying he heard the song, and I was surprised because most people don't know his old stuff, and my friend just looks at me and says "What you surprised about? I've heard this song so now Skrillex is now too mainstream for you?" I let it slide because I knew he was joking, but I've gotten this response from not so friendly people before. So I just wanted to state all of that, clearing up my fellow bronies knowledge on modern day hipsters, and I would like to know others opinions on this cultural subject.
I completely agree with you. Here is my opinion on the subject. I would love if people would be less stereotypical, two-faced, and biased. I believe everyone should be who they are to truly achieve happiness, not what the mainstream is or what others consider to be "correct". That being said, unfortunately, being your own individual receives a lot of negative opinions because it is not "normal" in society's eyes. I blame the media (news, "gossip channels", and any channel that talks about "popular trend this, popular trend that". This of course extends onto the internet, absorbing more people into realizing "Oh well its what all the 'important people' say, so thats the ONLY way to live." I say bullcrap. How can you be happy if you are letting others control what you do, how you look, and how you see your own image. Its your OWN image, make it your OWN! But people are so blinded that they only think they are happy. This is what I like to call "Celebrity Mentality". The media makes them seem like the perfect little role models that everyone should follow. Society is essentially putty in the media's grimy biased hands. This, in turn leads to all the hatred, and COMPLETE lack of respect for people. Where on the news do we hear about "friendly people"? When have you heard on the news of someone doing a good deed? All we hear is conflict, fighting, hatred, war. Why? Because apparently in today's society, its a bad thing to be yourself! I don't get it. This is the true reason why I love MLP: FIM and the entire Brony community. This show, has reminded us that we need to love, we need to care. No matter how different, we need respect, and acceptance. Love and tolerance! This show has reminded us who we are, that friendship truly is magic, and that our unique traits need to be respected, no matter what they are. We need to show our cutie marks with pride, do not let anyone tell you otherwise, and make your life...yours.
I'm not mainstream, that's for sure! I hate the mainstream! I don't like a lot of things guys (n' gals) my age like, specifically because I'm a 40's kid at heart. I love that type of music (And Dwynter LOVES me for it!) and art-style. Poetry/Writing in general has always been a strong point for me, but I don't want to dedicate my life to it like some do. I'd much rather devote myself to helping people who need my help. Therefore, Psychology is my expertise, given the opportunity! <3
Wow, just simply wow. I have to say that is the most intelligent thing I've heard on this subject in awhile. I hate society and typically go against. I mean what's so wrong about dancing in public on the streets? What's so wrong with kissing a girl in public? It's why I love the city where I live, Asheville, NC because everyone there is an individual and all we care about is love. I am Buddy Holly kid. I dress in brightly colored sports coats with black slacks and fancy shoes. In fact I know how to swing.
Buddy Holly was a great man, and a great artist. <3 I do the exact same thing, sometimes. I mainly wear a Black Vest, part my hair to droop past my ears, keep my nails rather long n' clean, and sing in a deep voice. But I talk rather high-pitched. And it sounds all Britainy. Hee hee, it's rather fun. Too bad I get made fun of at school for all of the above-mentioned fact, same ol' "Lolgay" and "*squee!*got" comments n' all. But hey, they're half right! I really don't care what people think of me, as long as I'm alive n' kickin', I'm all good! Public Displays of Affection at my school lands you 3 days suspension. If they catch you again, they notify the parents and send you to an alternative school, which we call DAEP. It's funny, seeing all of these people getting in trouble for hugging each other, and showing affection. It's a natural response, to love someone physically, whether that be a simple hug or... a different act of kindness which we all know of. Punishing someone for the former in public... that's just wrong and rude! Their reason? "It's wrong for students to show affection in a proffesional structure." Hahahahaha! "Proffessional" as in where drugs are sold and women are slapped. The principal cracks me up. So stupid, how the law binds love, no?
I live in a small town, so most people do their own thing which is nice. I don't know if I hate society. I'm on the fence about that. There are many things I dislike, but I can't really say I hate society. I don't like mainstream fads as you can tell, but I'm not a radical either (no parading through the streets for me). I have a middle ground where I keep to myself and I like where I'm at, so I think that's fine for me. There are a FEW things that really don't bother me with mainstream. One thing is music. Basically the bands I pick; I pick them because they sound good, and I ignore their popularity. So technically, I'm not listening to said music just to follow a mainstream. I listen to what I enjoy.
I don't even know if I'm hipster or not. When it comes to music I don't like a lot of the popular stuff, but my favorite band is the Gorillaz who are moderately popular so... then again, I also like stuff from Modest Mouse and the like... I guess I'm just well rounded. But when it comes to video games I'm a total hipster. (Bastion was totally the best game of the year!)
Skyrim fans will attempt to murder you. But I'll protect you, because I agree with you! Bastion was a really, REALLY good game!
Play your own horn in public, that's what I say. Picking bands on quality and meaning is a wonderful way to pick music. I'm impressed that you're able to ignore the insults and have such a positive outlook. It took me till college to not care what others think. I never understood how people could expect you to not show some sort of affection to someone you're in a relationship with. A simple kiss on the cheek, a hug. It's silly really. You're school sounds extremely strict. I mean, really? You can get in trouble for hugging? Gorillaz are best monkey. But seriously love that band. We should talk music sometime. Also with video games wise, I like a few of the odd ones most people never played
Being a hipster was too mainstream. So now I'm an otaku. In all seriousness though, I just don't care about the mainstream. I wear what I want (Which happens to be loose fitting shirts of the long sleeved variety as well as plain ol' jeans.), I listen to what I want, and I entertain myself how I want. And luckily, people respect that. So I don't get any trouble for it. And really, what does it matter as long as you're the one who chooses what you do? Too bad not too many people know this message.
I liked Skyrim too; it deserved its success (I mean, my Avatar is Skyrim-related), but its just not as good as Morrowind, and... Its so hard to top Bastion... Its one of the only games I played that made me tear up... and the choice at the end isn't the stereotypical "Good" or "Bad" ending. Both are morally questionable. Though I prefer the Evacuation, seeing as with Restoration history simply repeats itself. But yeah. I'm a total Video game hipster. Who played Minecraft in early Alpha.
So do I. I especially get called a hipster when I say that I preferred some aspects of Alpha (for example, sometimes I boot up my old pre-Biome *squee!* file, just to play without biomes for a bit). The game was sooo much harder back in the day. I remember when you had to WORK for coal! And Iron was a considerable achievement! DUDE. I have the Gorillaz "autobiography" (quotes because its fictional, the band being fictional), and its nothing short of amazing. Murdoc is hilarious, and its got both fictional information from the band, as well as information on the reality of the band from frontman Damon Albarn.
Minecraft: I remember when no one even knew that you could craft things. Though that may just be me. Gorillaz: Rise of the Ogre? I love that one. Do you have their previous christmas release, The Fall?
Yes, that's the one, I have it right next to me, as always, haha. And yes, I was one of the few people I know that LOVED the Fall!
Agreed. As much as I loved Plastic Beach, I missed the older sound of Demon Days and their first release, as well as G-Sides (another album barely anyone knows; do you know about G-Sides?), and it was refreshing to hear something more classic, combined with new stuff. What I really love about Gorillaz is Damon Albarn (seeing as he's the only permanent member of the band)'s ability to write and play any genre of music. Its especially surprising, considering that before Gorillaz his only experience was as lead singer of the Punk Rock band Blur, who are also really really good.
I agree with all of this, we'll take this discussion to your wall though, as I don't want this thread to get locked for being off topic.
I hated hipsters based on biased stereotypes advocated for by the media before it was cool. >kidding In all seriousness, though, I feel it's wrong to judge any one person by the group they seem to belong to. Even someone who looks like a hipster (using the OP's description as a base) might just be wearing those things because they actually like them. There's only so much you can know about a person before you even TRY to get to know them.
